Carbon sheet retractor mechanism



Jan. 27, 1953 c. SCHRODER 2,626,695

CARBON SHEET RETRACTOR MECHANISM 4 Filed March 9, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTbR. s .SU-IRODER Jan. 27, 1953 c.

CARBON SHEET RETRAc'roR MECHANISM SCHRODER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March9, 1950 ATTORNEY Jan. 27, 1953 c. SCHRODER CARBON SHEET RETRACTORMECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 9, 1950 CHARLES SCHRODER 964INI/ENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 27, 1953 c. SCHRODER CARBON 3mm RETRACTORMECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 9, 1950 ATTORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 5E Q kmN Q o L NQ WM 3 T: mm W? i1EIIHJMEIIH. :i. i W M J M. v H

Jan. 27, 1953 c. SCHRODER CARBON SHEET RETRACTOR MECHANISM Filed March9, 1950 Z zi-wk Jan. 27, 1953 c. SCHRODER 2,626,695

CARBON SHEET RETRACTOR MECHANISM Filed March 9, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 6#vvavron CHARLES SCHRODER 2am l2. 7%

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 27, 1953 CARBON SHEET RETRACTOR MECHANISM CharlesSchroder, West Hartford, Conn., assignor to Underwood Corporation, NewYork, N. Y., a

corporation of Delaware Application March 9, 1950, Serial No. 148,675

This invention relates to typewriting machines and more particularly tomachines known as fanfold or continuous billing machines, wherein carbonsheets are supported in interleaved relation between superposedcontinuous webs, or the plies of a fanfolded web, and are shiftable orretractable along the web for registration with carbon carrier issupported on a rear extension of a paper supporting carriage formovement toward and from a platen. Whenever the paper web is line-fed,the interleaved carbon sheets are drawn along with the paper web. Afterthe typ ing of each form, the carbon sheets are required to be shiftedout of the leading form into registration with the next form to betyped, this being in preparation of severing the typed, leading form. Toeflectthe required shift of the carbon sheets, the invention providesfor efllcient power means to retract them.

It is broadly an object of the present invention to provide an improvedmeans for power-retracting the carbon sheets.

It is also an object of the invention to provide for use with machinesof the general class indicated, a power-operatable carbon retractingdevice which is of simple structure, eflicient and reliable inoperation, and places a minimum of encumbering load or weight on thepaper supporting carriage.

It is a further object of the invention to devise a power-retractingmeans in which the operator is not subjected to danger from poweroperated elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide efficientpower-retracting means having a stationarily mounted motor and includingsimple, efilcient and inexpensive means to impart a carbon retractingmotion from the motor to a carbon carrier which is supported on thepaper supporting carriage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an economicallymanufacturable, efflcient powerretra'cting device for acarriage-supported carbon carrier, the device comprising on a stationarypart of the machine, a. power operable drum, and a draw band or stringoperable by such drum to retract the carbon carrier in any position ofthe carriage, or even while the carriage may be moving.

22 Claims. (Cl. 197-126) The device of the invention embodies aretractor device which includes a closeable and openable driveconnection on the frame for rendering the device respectively effectiveand ineflective. In connection with such frame-supported driveconnection, it is a further object to provide efflcient operable meansto render said drive connection closed responsive to a control movementgiven a part on the carriage and regardless of the position in which thecarriage may reside.

It is also an object to provide eflicient, automatically operative meansto render said framesupported drive connection open at completion of thecarbon retraction.

Other objects and features will in part be obvious and in part pointedout, particularly as the following description of a preferred embodimentof the invention proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a billing machine comprising atypewriter and embodying the novel device for power-retracting a carboncarrier, I

Figure 2 is a plan view showing a carbon carrier supporting shelf in anadvanced letter-feed position, and illustrating also thepower-retracting device for the carbon carrier on said shelf,

Figure 3 is a plan view similar to Figure 2 but the carbon carriersupporting shelf is shown moved to the right with respect to the frame,

Figure 4 is a sectional right-hand side view of the upper portion of themachine seen in Figure I, particularly the typewriter carriage with itsrearward extension, and certainelements of the power-retractingmechanism, the machine being in writing condition, the section takenjust inside of the right carriage end,

In Figure 5, a displaceable platen supporting frame on the carriage isshown displaced, and the power-retracting mechanism for the carboncarrier is in action,

Figure 6 illustrates the carbon carrier as just having beenpower-retracted, and having inactivated the power-retracting mechanism,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a framesupported portion or thepower drive of the carbon retracting mechanism, and shows also a portionof a guide sheave and a portion of a drawcable drum, and finally aFigure 10 is a plan view showing a drum unit of the carbon retractingdevice, including a cover therefor.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is mounted on a main body l3 of anUnderwood All Electric Typewriter a paper-supporting carriage generallydesignated by the numeral Ill and including at each opposite end anend-plate H rising rigidly from a grooved rail l2. Said carriage l8,through its rail I2, is guided between two trackways I4 in thetypewriter body l3, see Figure 4, usual anti-friction elements |8 beingprovided between said trackways l4 and said rail |2. In the carriage 3there is mounted pivotally displaceable between the end plates II asub-frame l8 carrying a platen 2|. Said displaceable subframe I8 isshown to consist of opposite end pieces 24 and a bar 25 rigidlyconnecting them, see Figure 4, and is normally located so that theplaten 2| bears upon front and rear feed rolls, respectively numbered 28and 21. For pivotal support of said sub-frame l8, each carriage end IIhas a stud 28 extending inwardly therefrom, the two sub-frame end pieces24 being pivotally carried on said studs. In the normal position ofcarriage l to run with the carriage l0, upon its own trackway 54. Thelatter may be in the form of a round bar rigidly carried on an extensionsaid sub-frame |8, each of thettwo end pieces 24 rests at the rear ofthe platen upon a collar 28 provided upon a shaft 32, see Figures 4 and8. Said shaft 32 is pivotally supported in the opposite end plates H ofthe carriage and has near each carriage end an upreaching latch arm 3|secured to it. Each arm' 3| includes a hook formation 33 which normallyoverlies a pin 34 in the adjacent end piece 24 of the sub-frame l8,thereby to lock the latter normally down and hold the platen 2| infeeding contact with the feed rolls 23 and 21. The structure comprisingthe rod or shaft 32 and the latch arms 3| is rearwardly swingable aboutthe axis of said shaft for the hook formations 33 to clear the pins 34,and thereby to render the sub-frame |8 displaceable to the position seenin Figures 5 and 6. A spring, not shown, associated with one of thelatch arms 3| biases both these arms 3| forwardly into the latchingposition seen in Figure 8.

The platen is rotatable in the displaceable sub-frame I8 by reason of aspindle 31 projecting oppositely into the end plates 24 of the subframel8. In flanking relation with the end plates 24, the spindle 31 carriesfast thereon, at

framework reaching rearwardly from the main typewriter body I3, seeFigure 1. The carriage extension Illa, for running association on saidbar 54, has secured to its underside, as at 58, an elongated bracketplate 52, the latter extending lengthwise of said bar 54 and having attwo spaced points trucks or bearing elements 53, including anti-frictionrolls 53a, associated with said bar 54. The bracket plate 52 is spacedfrom the table Illa between its points 58 of securement to provideworking clearance for a draw-cable of the carbon retracting mechanism tobe described. The extension framework 55 comprises a bracket 58 fastenedto each side of the typewriter body |3, the brackets rigidly bridged byrods 51 and having table-rests in the form of caster rolls 62.

For connection with the carriage extension or table Illa. with thetypewriter carriage It, the end plates H of the latter have each arearwardly reaching bracket 5| supporting a rod 48 extending parallel tothe carriage. As seen in Figure I, said extension la is yieldinglyconnected with said rod 48, by means of spacers in the form ofcompressible coil springs 81, arranged on the rod 48 between each sideof the extension Illa and the adjacent bracket 5|. The springs 81 urgethe extension Illa to assume a definite lateral relation with respect tothe carriage, but permit a momentary lag of the extension during eachletter-feed movement of the typewriter carriage. The latter, therefore,letter-feeds substantially without interference by the mass of theextension Illa and the parts carried thereby, wherefore utmost typingspeed is possible. Also, at the end of long carriage movements, such astabulations and carriage returns, the springs 61 I are instrumental tolessen shock.

each end, a gear 38. In the normal position of the platen supportingsub-frame seen in Figures 1 and 5, there is coaxially arranged closelyadjacent to each gear 38 another gear 4|, each of the latter gearscarried fast on a stud-shaft 42 which is revolvably mounted on theadjacent carriage end said stub-shafts having each a turning knob 44.Associated in constant mesh with said coaxially arranged gears 38 and4|, at each carriage end, see Figures 1 and 5, there is another gear 43tumably mounted on the nearby stud 28. These gears 43 are covered byguards 43a. The stated stub-shafts 42 are turnable by the knobs 44, andturning motion is transmitted to the platen 2| from the gear 4| to thegear 43 and hence to the platen gear 38.

As indicated in Figure 4, types |5 strike against the front side of theplaten 2|, and as is conventional in typewriters, the carriage l0letterfeeds responsive to each typing impression, and is returnable atwill in preparation of typing each line.

Loosely connected to move with the carriage I0 A conventional Underwoodcarbon carrier comprises a base plate 12 which at each lateral endthereof has circumferentially grooved rollers 13 engaging spacedparallel trackways 14 that extend along the left and right border of thecarriage extension Na. Said carbon carrier 1| comprises on the baseplate 12 a detachably mounted, conventional plate 68 supporting blades18 whereto carbon sheets 8| are attachable in a conventional manner. Asseen in Figures 1 and 4, a work web 83 is placed in the machine toextend from the rear over a guide bar 11 forwardly over the carriageextension Illa, and downwardly around the bottom of the platen to thefront thereof. The displaceable sub-frame |8 has a paper table 84extending from the upper front portion of the platen 2 I, as seen inFigures 1 and 4, and a form severing knife 85 is also carried thereby.The work web 83 consists of several plies and, when the machine is inuse, the carbon sheets 8| extend forwardly from their anchorage blades18 in interleaved relation with the plies, the leading ends of thecarbon sheets being normally about inch short of the leading ends of theweb 83. Figure 4, as is indicated by the type bar l5 striking the paper,shows the leading set of forms of the work web 83 being typed upon, andthe leading end of the work web is shown as having been line spaced wellabove the cuttingedge of the knife I 85. The carbon carrier II is shownadvanced toward the platen, forwardly of a stop 88, and it will beevident from the description following hereinafter that this advance hasbeen brought about partly by lowering the displaceable sub-frame I8, andpartly by advancing the work web 88 by rotating the platen.

As already has been brought out, the platen is rotatable to advance thework web 82 by means of knobs 44, but it is understood that it may alsobe rotated in line-spacing steps in any known manner, either manually orby power.

After the typing on the leading set of forms is completed the carbonsheets are shifted to register with the next succeeding set of forms inpreparation to typing thereon. This is preferably done with the web 88in a straightened condition so that the web plies will not bind thecarbon sheets. Accordingly, whenever it is desired to shift the carbonsheets 8I to register with a set of succeeding forms, the sub-frame I8is first unlocked by a rearward displacement of the latch arms 8| clearof the pins 84, and is thereafter swung upwardly and forwardly to raisethe platen 2I above the general plane of the carriage extension Ia. SeeFigure 5. This is preferably done by a single continuous motion of theoperator's hand. To this end, see particularly Figures 1 and 8, a formmeasuring bar IOI, supporting an adjustable paper gage I02, is pivotallydisplaceable .to a limited extent toward the front of the machine onsaid subframe I8 and when so displaced, causes the latch arms 38 to bemoved clear of the pins 34. Thereafter, continued forward movement ofthe gage bar IOI picks up the subframe I8 to move it about its pivotstuds 28 to the position shown in Figure 5. As seen in Figure 1, thegage bar IOI is fastened to a shaft I08 which is pivoted in and extendsbetween the ends 24 of the sub-frame I8. At the left end, the shaft I 08carries fixedly a cam arm I04 which in the initial tilting movement ofthe gage bar IOI toward Figure 7 position acts on a pin IIO on theadjacent latch arm 3|, thereby to swing both latch arms 8i rearwardlyclear of the pins 84 of the platen supporting sub-frame I 8. After thestated initial tilting movement of the gage bar IN, the lower endthereof engages a head of a movement limiting pin I I4 on said sub-frameI8, see Figure 8, and the latter will then move along with the gage barto reach finally the position seen in Figure 5. Means, later to bedescribed, stop the displaceable frame in the movement to the Figure 5position. The form-measuring gage I02 on the gage bar IN is adjustedthereon to stand a form length away from the edge of the knife 85. Ashas bee n stated, the carbon sheets 8| are shifted into cooperativerelation with succeeding forms while the platen is in or near the raisedposition seen in Figure 5. However, before the carbon sheets areshifted, that is to say, retracted, the work web 82 is preferablyadvanced for the leading edge thereof to meet the gage I02. The statedadvance of the work web 88 may be efiected by turning the platen priorto effecting its displacement, but preferably the advance is effectedconcomitant to moving the gage bar IOI forwardly toward theextended'position seen in Figure 5. Towards accomplishing this, theoperator may lightly grip the leading end of the web plies 85 and thegage bar IOI between the thumb and index finger and may early in theplaten displacement, by gliding these fingers along the bar I0 I advancethe leading end of the web 88 to meet the gage I02.

Power retraction of carbon sheets According to the invention, the carboncarrier II is power-retracted by eiiicient, simple means, preferably asthe platen-supporting sub-frame I8 approaches its fully displacedposition seen in Figure 5, the leading edge of the form 88 having beenbrought against the gage I02 and being held by the operator's fingers orotherwise.

The power-retracting means comprises a retractor drum II8 supported toturn on a stationary pivot axis located closely to the rear of thetypewriter body I3, preferably underneath the carriage extension I0a. Aband or draw-cable H6 having one end attached to the drum II8, andcapable of being wound thereon, is operatively in communication with thecarbon carrier II in any position of the typewriter carriage, saiddraw-cable leading rearwardly from the drum II8, reversely over a sheaveor guide I carried on the bottom of the rear portion of the carriageextension Wu, and forwardly for attachment to the carbon carrier I I.Said draw-cable I I 0 is attached to the base plate I2 of the carboncarrier II, and to this end the base plate I2 has a downreaching bracketI I5 to which the cable is clamped by an element I II. A clock-typespring I32 accommodated within said drum II8 very lightly urges thelatter to turn anti-clockwise as viewed in Figures 2 and 3. and alwayscauses sufficient cable II6 to be wound on the drum to keep slack fromforming in the lead to the carbon carrier. However the tension of thespring I32 is insufficient to draw the carbon carrier II rearwardly. Aseach form is line-spaced in the course of typing it, the carrier II isdrawn forwardly toward the platen by the carbon sheets,-

the drum II8 paying off the necessary cable to allow forward movement ofthe carbon carrier. In Figure 2, the carriage extension I0a is shown ina leftward position with respect to the typewriter body I3, whereas inFigure 3 said extension is shown moved to the right. From these twofigures it will be perceived that the drum I I8, by means of the cableH6, is operatively communicative with the carbon carrier II regardlessof the position the carriage it may occupy. so that anti-clockwiserotation of the drum II8 by power will result in retraction of thecarbon carrier II. The drum I i8 is located for the cable to lead,therefrom to the sheave I in an upwardly and rearwardly inclined plane,so that the stretch of cable leading from. the sheave MI to the carrierII passes freely and without conilict over said cable lead extendingfrom the drum to the sheave at varying angles as viewed from the top.This may be seen from comparison of Figures 3 and 2. Moreover, it willbe seen thatv due to the drum turning spring I32, cable will be drawnoil or paid to the drum II8, as required.

Before describing the drum rotating mechanism it will be of advantage tostate briefly the manner of support for the drum II8.

Referring to Figures 2, 3, 7 and 10, the retractor drum H8 is housed ina structure comprising a base plate I45 and a box-like cover I46. Thedrum H8 is provided on a pintle I41 whereon it is adapted to turn, andsaid pintle has reduced ends turnably accommodated as at I40 in oppositeperforations provided in the base plate I45 and said cover I48. Theaforestated clocktype spring I32, see Figure '2, has the outer endattached to the drum as at I50, and the inner end anchored on the pintleI41. The box-like cover I46 is secured to studs on the base plate I45 byscrews I52. The clock-type spring I02 is 7 given the appropriate tensionby rotatively adjusting the pintle I41 which for this purpose embodies asmall worm gear I53 indicated in Figures 6 and 10, such gear turnablyadjustable by a worm I54 provided on a shaft I55 turnably accommodatedon the cover I46 and having externally of said cover a turning knob I48.

The structure comprising the base plate I45 and the cover I46 is rigidlysupported behind the main body I3 of the typewriter, below the carriageextension Ia. For support of said structure I45, I46, see Figure 7, astud I51 extends from an upreaching branch I56 of the left extensionbracket 58 rigidly rightwardly therefrom. Similarly from an upreachingbranch I58 of the right extension bracket 58 there extends a stud I60.The stated base plate I45 of the drum has a downreaching ear I6I forassociating it fixedly with the stud I51, the latter having a reducedscrew-end, and a nut I62 on said screw-end clamping the ear I'6I fast tothe stud I51. The stud I60 is tubular and is held to the bracket branchI58 by a bushing I63, the latter extending through the bracket branchI58 and being screwed into the tubular stud as at I64. The bushing I63passes also through a plate I65 and has a hexagon enlargement I66serving to draw it into a rigid structure with the branch I52, the plateI65, andthe stud I60. The left end of the tubular stud I60 has unitedthereto, as by brazing, a bracket I61, the base plate I45 being securedto the bracket I61 by screws I68. This gives additional support to thdrum base plate I45.

Referring to Figure 1, the Underwood All Electric Typewriter which themachine of the invention comprises, embodies a shaft-I10 which isconstantly motor driven while the machine is in use. On said shaft I10is a pulley I1I driving a belt I12 of the conventional type actionoperating drive. Alongside of the pulley "I, also fast on the shaft I10and constantly driven thereby, is a pulley I13 which by means of anendless V- belt I14 constantly drives a pulley I15 rotatively borne on apart of the bushing I63 which extends rightwardly from the hexagonenlargement I66. Extending through the tubular stud I60 and turnablyaccommodated in the bushing I63 is a square shaft I16 having at theouter end a disk I11 in loosely keyed association with the pulley I15,so that the pulley rotates the square shaft I16. The plate I65, seeFigure 1, supports a belt tightener I18 of a generally well-known type.A collar I80, see Figure 7, fast on the shaft I16 Just inside of thebracket I81, in cooperation with the disk I11 onthe outer end of theshaft I16 locates the latter endwise. When the machine is ,in use, thatis when the shaft I16 is motor-rotated, the latter continuously turns ashiftable clutch member I8I turnably accommodated on a stud I82 andhaving four rollers I83 in engagement with the four sides of the squareshaft I18. The left end of the shaft I16 extends with clearanceconcentrically into a bore in the stud I82, and said tumable clutchmember I8I, by reason of the shaft I18 reaching between its four rollersI83, provides a rotative support for the left end of the shaft I16. Thehollow stud I82 is home rigidly on a bracket I84 reaching downwardlyfrom the drum base plate I45, and to this end has an annular enlargementI85 and bears between said enlargement and the bracket a bushing I86, anut I81 on the stud drawing the shoulder I85 tightly against the bushingI86. To turn on the bushing I88, and axially confined between theenlargement I85 and an enlargement on the bushing I86, there is a clutchmember I88 in exial alignment with the clutch member I8I. The clutchmember I88 includes a gear I which is in constant mesh with a large gearI8I provided fast on the underside of the retractor drum M8. the gearI8I preferably pressed or sheet metal. Normally, see Figure 7, theclutch member I8I is held axially in a position so that the clutch teethI82 thereon are out of engagement with clutch teeth I83 on the memberI88. The stated position of the clutch member I8I prevails always whenthe platen I3 is in normal writing position as seen in Figure 4. This isbecause a bail I84 pivotally supported at the rear of the carriage I0 isnormally in a rearwardly swung position. Said bail I84 comprises spacedarms I85 pivot ally mounted as at I88 on extensions 5Ia oi. the brackets5| reaching rearwardly from the carriage ends II, and comprises furthera rod I86 extending parallel to the carriage I0. The rod I86 bycontacting a roller 20I on an arm I81 holds the latter in a rearwardlyswung position, a pivot stud I88 for said arm rising from the base plateI45 and a torsion spring 200 urging the arm I81 for the roller tocontact the rod I86. The arm I81 is in control of a clutch shifter lever202 through the intermediary of an arm 203 pivoted at 204 on the drumbase plate I45 and having pin 205 bearing against the front side of anarm of-the lever 202, said two arms having a pin and slot connection asat 208. The clutch shifting lever 202 bears a roller reaching into anannular groove 206 of the clutch member I8I, and, under the tension of aspring 201, tends to move the said clutch member I8I to closed clutchposition, such movement being blocked normally by the stated normalrearward position of the bail rod I86.

The displ'aceable sub-frame I8 exerts control over the position of thebail I84 through .a mechanism comprising an arm 2 pivotally mounted onthe shaft 32, a link 2I2 connecting the arm 2II with the right end-pieceof the displaceable platen frame I8, and a link 2I3 extendin rearwardlyfrom the arm 2I I and articulated to an upright arm 2I4 which by arearwardlyreaching nose is operatively associated with a forwardlyreaching nose on the bail arm I85 at the right carriage end. Said arm2I4 is pivotally carried on the bracket 5I at the right carriage end. Inthe normal position of the displaceable sub-frame I8, see Figure 4, thearm 2I4 is govemed by said sub-frame I8 to occupy the shown position,the nose on'the arm 2| 4 bearing down on the nose of the arm I85 to holdthe bail I84 rearwardly swung, thus holding the clutch member I8I inopen clutch position. Displacement of the sub-frame I8 as the''latter'nears the 'position seen in Figure 5', results in the movementof the control mechanism 2I2, 2II, 2I3 and 2I4 as shown, with the effectthat the bail I84 will be allowed to swing toward the front of themachine as illustrated, the tension of the spring 200 on the rollcarrying arm I81 causing the roll 20I to swing the bail. However, inorder that the clutch may close with an instantaneous action,substantially at the very end of the platen displacement, and regardlessof slowly effected displacement of the platen, see Figure 7, a pawl 2I5is associated with a shoulder on the clutch controlling lever 202 todelay clutch closing movement of the latter until the very end of theplaten displacement. This pawl 2I5 is normally spring held in a blockingrelation with respect to the stated shoulder, and when the platenapproaches its fully displaced position shown in Figure 5, a pin 2I6 onthe arm 293 will engage the outer end of the pawl 2I5 to swing it clearof the stated shoulder, wherefore under the tension of the spring 201only then the clutch controlling lever 202 snaps to closed clutchposition. Incidentally, see Figure '7, the limit of displacement of theplaten sub-frame I8 is established by engagement of the arm 2 with anabutment 2" on the adjacent carriage end II.

As soon as resultant from platen displacement the driving connectionacross the clutch members I8I, I88 is established, the gear I99 willdrive the drum II8 forcibly anti-clockwise as viewed from the top, andthe carbon carrier II will consequently be drawn rearwardly by thedraw-cable '6. It matters not in what position the carriage I9 mayreside, inasmuch as the cable H6 is always communicative with thecarrier II for retracting action.

When the carbon carrier II nears the required retracted position, namelythe position illustrated in Figure 6 wherein the leading ends of thecarbon sheets 8I are slightly short of the cutting edge of the knife 85,the power drive to the retractor drum H8 is automatically interrupted.To this end, towards the end of its forced rearward movement the carrierII displaces a shutoff element in the form of the before-noted stop 88which is carried for adjustment along bar 222 and for limited rearwarddisplacement with the latter on the carriage extension Illa, said barhaving attached thereto at the front end, by means of studs 223, anelement ending in a finger 224 reaching infront of the bail bar I96, seeFigures 2, 4 and 6. The effect is such that when the stop 88 isdisplaced rearwardly by the carbon carrier 'II, the bail bar I96 ispulled rearwardly to impart a clutch opening operation to the arm I91,the motion imparted to the latter arm being translated into a clutchopening movement of lever 292. For slidably mountingthe bar 222, seeFigure 2, the latter has at each opposite end thereof a pin and slotassociation 228 with the table extension IIla of the carriage. Therearward movement of the bar 222 is limited by a fixture 230 fastened tothe underside of the said bar and having a soft pad 23I for stoppingengagement against the rear side of one of the openings 49 in thecarriage extension Ilia.

After the clutch member I8I at the automatic conclusion of a, powerretraction of the carbon carrier 'II is moved to open-clutch position,the retractor drive must remain inactive. To this end, see particularlyFigures 4, and 6, an element 232 is pivotally mounted on the rod 48 nearthe right end of the carriage, and includes a blocking nose 233 which,as illustrated in Figure 6, under the urge of a spring 235, swings infront of a pin 234 on the right arm I95 of the bail I94 whenever thelatter arrives in a rearwardly rocked position incidental to the clutchopening movement imparted to the bar 222 at the end of a retractingmovement. However, inasmuch as the bail I94 must be free to rock towardthe front of the machine whenever the platen I0 is moved to displacedposition, a pin 236 is provided on the arm 2 to give the element 232normally the position seen in Figure 4, wherein its blocking nose 233 isbelow the pin 234 on the bail I94. At the beginning of each platendisplacement, the clutch controlling bail I94 swings forwardly fastenough for the pin 234 to move idly above the blocking nose 233.Meanwhile the pin 238 on the arm 2 moves forwardly away from the element232, giving the latter capacity for turning movement in anti-clockwisedirection under the tension of the spring 235. Consequently, when at theend of each power-retracting operation, the bail I94 is rearwardlyrocked by the finger 234, the element 232 will spring-moveanti-clockwise, placing the blocking nose in front of the pin 234.Therefore at the end of each powerretraction of the carbon carrier II,the bail I94 will be moved to and retained in rearward, openclutchposition against the tension of the spring 291 which is associated withthe clutch shifter lever 202.

The control mechanism by which the powerretracting device is renderedactive responsive to displacement of the platen supporting frame I8, issuch that if said frame is prematurely thrown toward normal positionbefore the powerretracting operation is concluded, there will ensueconsequently a shut-off of the retractor drive. Namely, if the platensupporting frame I8 is thrown toward normal position while the carrierII is power-moved rearwardly as illustrated in Figure 5, then themovement of the control mechanism 2I2, 2| I, H3, 2 toward normalposition will result in a restoration of the control bail I94 rearwardlyon the carriage, which in turn will shift the clutch member IN toopen-clutch position, rendering the retractor drive inactive. Thisshut-off position provides that neither the retracting mechanism, northe work web 83, nor carbon sheets 8| are subjected to abnormal strainin the event the operator restores the platen to writing position beforethe power-retracting operation is completed.

The retractor drum I I8 and the clutch member I8I hereinbefore noted,are supported on the stationary part of the machine, but as has beenbrought out, the power-retractions are instituted and terminated undercontrol of carriage supported mechanism. In this connection it should benoted that the bail I94 is operatively communicative with the roller 2!"on the frame supported arm I91 regardless of the position of thecarriage I9, wherefore clutch closing as well as clutch opening actionis provided for by control motions emanating from parts on the carriageII! or its extension Illa.

In the machine described the work web 83 is supplied upwardly from therear of the machine and the weight thereof afiords considerableresistance to the forward movement of the carbon carrier, particularlyso if the web consists of many plies and i of heavy stock. Accordingly,there is associated with the carbon carrier a means which at least inpart counterbalances the dragging weight of the work web. To this endthe cable II6 leading from the retractor drum II8 to the clamp III onthe carbon carrier II is extended forwardly of the latter over a sheave240 at the forward end of the extension IM and reversely rearwardly towind on a drum 2 whereto the extended cable is attached. Said drum issupported on a bracket 242 reaching rearwardly from the bracket plate 52carried by the carriage extension I0a. Said drum 2 is under constantinfluence of a spiral spring 243 to turn anti-clockwise as viewed fromthe top, and therefore to wind up the cable II8 leading thereto. Thespring 243 in the drum 2 is relatively stronger than the spring I32 inthe retractor drum II8, so that the carbon retractor 'II is favored tomove toward the platen at all times, the weight of the work web 83however exerting enough drag on the carbon carrier II to prevent thelatter from moving forwardly on its own accord. So that the spiralspring 243 may supply the appropriate forward drawing action on thecarbon carrier 1| suited to the drag of a particular work web 83, thespiral spring |32 in the retractor drum 8 is adjustable for strength ina manner explained hereinbefore, it being noted that if the spring I32is given increased power, the effective power of the spring 243 isweakened.

The platen supporting frame It is shown in normal position in Figure 8and accordingly the opposite latch arms 3| are in latching associationwith the pins 34. The initial forward motion given the gage bar in theplaten displacing operation, as before stated, will swing both latcharms 3| rearwardly, clear of the path which the pins 34 need to takeensuingly during the actual displacement of the platen, that is duringcontinued forward movement of the gage bar IIII. In the displacement ofthe frame IS, the pins 34 travel upwardly and forwardly, clear of thearms 3|. To retain the arms 3| rearwardly moved pending the restorationof the platen, there is provided a dog 245 pivotally carried at theright end ll of the carriage, which dog, under the constant urge of aspring 246, tends to swing limitedly upwardly However, the link 2|2 ofthe aforedescribed clutch controlling mechanism normally overlies andholds down the rear end of the dog 245. Incidental to the forwarddisplacement of the gage bar ||l|, following the rearward displacementof the latch arms 3| and following some upward displacement of theplaten supporting frame, the link 2 l2, by moving upwardly, allows thedog 245 to move in front of a notched, forwardly reaching nose 241. Theplaten frame pins 34 meanwhile glide along the front faces of thelatches 3|. As the pins 34 clear the latches 3|, the dog 245 will blockthe associated latch 3| against forward movement, the notched nose 241seating itself against the end of the dog. Both the latches 3| staytherefore in rearward position. Subsequently when the platen frame I8 isrestored and the pins 34 thereon glide down the front of the latches 3|,said dog 245 is forced down to ineffective position below the nose 241,allowing the latches 3| to spring forwardly into holding position overthe pins 34.

It is desirable that the draw-cable I6 be wound on the drum H8 inorderly adjacent turns. For assuring this, and also to prevent jumpingof the cable 6 off the drum, there is provided closely acflacent to thelatter, at the cable payoff side, a grooved roller guide 250, seeFigures 2, 4 and 9. This roller guide 250 is rotatively supported on astud 25| with capacity to move axially therealong for the width of thedrum H8. As the drum winds successive turns, the roll travels upwardlyagainst the light opposition of a compression spring 252 arranged on thestud 25| between the roller and the stud head. The spring 252, bytending to resist upward movement of the roller 250, causes thedraw-cable to wind in closely adjacent turns on the drum. As seen inFigure 2 the roller 250 is located very closely to the drum H8, and forthe draw-cable H3 to lead in a bend from the drum, this being conduciveto keep the cable from jumping the drum.

Having now special reference to Figures 2 and 6, the carbon carrier haspivotally mounted to the underside of the base plate 12 a springpresseddetent arm 253 for catching impositively behind the adjustable retractorstop 33 whenever the carbon carrier reaches retracted position. Incatching impositively behind the stop 88, said detent 253 preventsrebounding of the carbon carrier 1| toward the platen. However, thedetent yields readily when following retraction, the carbon carrier isdrawn forwardly resultant to platen restoration to normal position whilethe leading edge of the web 83 is held against the gage I02.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described,it is understood that many variations may be restorted to within thescope of the invention and that portions of improvements may be usedwithout others.

What is claimed is:

1. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame inletter-feed and return directions, and having a platen on the carriagerelatively to which carbon sheets on the carriage are advanceable andretractable; power-retracting means for said carbon sheets, comprising,a motor-operatable cable winding drum supported on said frame, and meansoperatable by said frame-supported drum in any position of the carriageto effect carbon sheet retraction, said last means including adraw-cable windable on said frame-supported drum for carbon sheetretraction.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1, said drum located rearwardly ofthe platen, and said powerretracting means comprising beyond the rangeof carbon retraction, guide means for said drawcable to lead theretofrom said drum directionally away from the platen and thence reverselytoward the platen, said guide means supported on the carriagesubstantially in a lateral location which is coincident with the drumwhen the carriage is in the middle of its traveling range.

3. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame inletter-feed and return directions, and a platen on the carriagerelatively to which carbon sheets on the carriage are advanceable andretractable; power-retracting means for said carbon sheets, comprising,a motor supported on said frame, a cable winding drum also supportedlaterally central on said frame and operable by said motor, a sheavelaterally central on said carriage, said drum located nearer to theplaten than the sheave, and a draw-cable windable on saidframe-supported drum in any position of the carriage to effect carbonsheet retraction, said draw-cable leading rearwardly from said drum tosaid sheave and reversely thereover forwardly.

4. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame inletter-feed and return direc tions, a platen on the carriage, and acarbon carrier supported on the carriage for advance movement toward andretracting movement from said platen; power-retracting means for saidcarrier, comprisin a motor supported on the frame, a cable winding drumsupported on said frame and operatable by said motor, and meansincluding a draw-cable windable on said frame-supported drum, andoperatively connecting said drum with said carrier in any position ofthe carriage for carbon sheet retracting action.

5. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame inletter-feed and return directions, a platen on the carriage, and acarbon carrier supported on the carriage for advance movement toward andretracting movement from said platen; a power-retracting means for thecarrier, comprising, a motor-operatable drum supported on the frame, adraw-cable windable on said 13. drum and having a connection with saidcarrier, and draw-cable guide means located for said draw-cable to leadthereto from the carrier directionally away from the platen andassociated with the carriage for movement directionally in accordtherewith, said drum supported nearer to the platen than said draw-cableguide means, and the cable leading thereto from said carrier by way ofsaid guide means.

6. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame inletter-feed and return directions, a platen on the carriage and a carboncarrier supported on the carriage for advance movement toward andretracting movement from said platen; a power-retracting means for thecarrier, comprising, a motor-operatable drum supported on the frame, adraw-cable windable on said drum and having a connection with saidcarrier, and draw-cable guide means on the carriage located for saiddraw-cable to lead thereto from the carrier directionally away from theplaten, said drum supported nearer to the platen than said draw-cableguide means, and the cable leading thereto from said carrier by way ofsaid guide means.

7. The invention defined in claim 6, said guide means supported on thecarriage substantially in a location which is laterally coincident withthe drum when the carriage is in the middle of its traveling range.

8. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame inletter-feed and return directions, a platen on the carriage and a carboncarrier supported on the carriage for advance movement toward andretracting movement from said platen; power-retracting means for saidcarrier, comprising. a motor supported on the frame, a cable windingdrum supported on said frame, a normally open clutch between said motorand said drum, and a draw-cable windable on said frame-supported drumand operatively connecting the latter with said carbon carrier in anyposition of the carriage for carbon sheet retractin action.

9. The machine set forth in claim 8, and lightly active means associatedwith said drum to keep said draw-cable taut while said clutch is open,.

irrespective of travel of the carriage or the carbon carrier.

10. The machine defined in claim 9, said lightly active means comprisingspring means having a light cable-winding action on said drum.

11. The invention defined in claim 8, including spring means associatedwith said drum for said draw-cable to exert a retraction favoring forceon said carrier, and spring means exerting a light advancement-favoringforce on said carrier, the favoring force of said first spring means inrespect to the favoring force of the second spring means being smallerfor any position of the carriage or the carrier.

12. The invention set forth in claim 11, said second spring meanscomprising, a second cablewinding drum, and a spring having acable-winding action on said second drum.

13. The invention set forth in claim 12, said second cable-winding drumsupported on the carriage.

14. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame inletter-feed and return directions, and having a platen on the carriagerelatively to which carbon sheets on the carriage are retractable to acertain position; normally ineffective power-retracting means for saidcarbon sheets, including, a motor on said frame, and

, means supported on said frame and operable by said motor forcarbon-sheet retracting action, means including control means on thecarriage, to cause operation of said frame-supported means by said motorin any position of the carriage, and means responsive to the retractionof the carbon sheets to the said position to interrupt the operation ofsaid frame-supported means by said motor.

15. The invention set forth in claim 14, said control means comprisingform-measuring means on the carriage displaceable from a normal to aform-measuring position to cause operation of said frame-supportedmeans.

16. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame inletter-feed and return directions to diiferent positions, a platen onsaid carriage, and a carbon carrier on said carriage advanceable towardthe platen; normally ineffective motor-operatable means adapted toretract said carrier in any position of the carriage and including anormally ineffectively conditioned drive connection on said frame, andmeans to effectively or ineffectively condition said drive connection,including, a control element on the carriage engageable by said carrierat the end of each retraction, and means responsive to said engagementof said control element irrespective of the position of the carriage torender automatically said drive connection ineflectively conditioned.

1'7. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame inletter-feed and return directions, a platen displaceable on saidcarriageand a carbon carrier on said carriage movable toward the platen; anelectric motor on the frame, normally inefiective motor-operatable meansadapted to retract said carrier in any position of the carriage,including a normally open clutch supported on the frame; and meansresponsive to displacement of said platen to engage said frame-supportedclutch, and thereby to render said motor-operatable means effective,said responsive means being further responsive to retraction of thecarrier to a certain position to render said frame-supported clutchautomatically disengaged.

18. The invention defined in claim 17, the machine including means tomaintain the clutch disengaged after automatic disengagement until saidplaten is again displaced.

19. The invention defined in claim 17, said responsive means including amember on the carriage operatively communicative with a member on theframe in any position of the carriage.

20. The invention defined in claim 19, one of said members comprising abail extending parallel to the carriage.

21. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame todifferent writing positions,

and having a platen on said carriage relatively to which carbon sheetsare retractable to a certain position; means supporting said platen fordisplacement on the carriage to a web-freeing position, motor-drivemeans to retract said carbon sheets, including a drive connectionadapted to be closed or opened respectively to render the motor-drivemeans effective or ineflective; and means to render said driveconnection closed incidental to the displacement of the platen, and torender said drive connection open incidental to the retraction of thecarbon sheets to the said position. said last means including aprovision to render said drive connection also open if the platen afterdisplacement is restored before the retraction of the carbon sheets hasbeen concluded by the motor-drive means.

22. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame todifierent writing positions, and having a platen on the carriagerelatively to which carbon sheets are retractable to a certain position;means supporting said platen for displacement on the carriage to aweb-freeing position, motor-drive means to retract said carbon sheets,including a drive connection on the frame adapted to be closed andopened respectively to render said motor-drive means eflective orineffective; means to render said drive connection closed by thedisplacement of the platen as such displacement nears conclusion, andmeans to render said drive connection open either incidental to theretraction of the carbon sheets to the said position or by therestoration of the platen as the platen nears restored position.

CHARLES SCHRODER.

REFERENCES CITED FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Apr. 1, 1943Number

